Gresham, Oregon: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: No solicitor permit — the Gresham Revised Code has no peddler, solicitor or canvasser chapter. What it does have is a general business license: no person may engage in any business in the city without one (9.05.020). It does not apply to someone paid solely an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly or annual wage or salary (9.05.040(1)). The only "transient merchant" rule is for buyers of precious metals and gems, not for door-to-door sellers (9.20.020).
• Where it comes from: City of Gresham Business Licensing, at City Hall or online through the city's self-service portal. The license is valid for one license year (9.05.070).
• Fee: Set by council resolution (9.05.030). The Master Fee Schedule (effective 7/01/2026) lists the General Business License annual charge as printed: base fee $ 80.00, plus an additional per employee fee of $ 3.00, first two employees exempt, with an owner counted as an employee. There is no per-rep permit fee.
• Hours you may knock: The code sets no door-to-door knocking hours.
• What the rep carries: No badge or permit rule for reps. A business with no primary location in Gresham must make its license available on request from any person (9.05.110).
• What takes the time: Only the business license application and payment (9.05.050). No background check, fingerprinting or bond applies to door-to-door sellers. No processing time is published.
• Code: Gresham Revised Code, Chapter 9 — Business Licenses and Regulation, Article 9.05 — General Licenses (9.05.010 to 9.05.115). The city's full code PDF is marked Rev. 09-26.
• Worth knowing: A business that arranges for independent contractors to perform a service essential to it must hold the license, and may not use an independent contractor who lacks one (9.05.100) — relevant if reps are 1099 contractors rather than wage employees.
• Read it yourself: Gresham Revised Code (full PDF, Rev. 09-26) · City of Gresham Master Fee Schedule · City of Gresham — Business Licenses · checked 21 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Whether commission-only or 1099 door-to-door reps each need their own Gresham business license
• Whether an out-of-town company with no Gresham location uses the "Outside Gresham" license application
• Whether police or code enforcement apply any knocking-hours or no-soliciting-sign rule not in the Revised Code

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________